Liverpool’s latest injury casts a long shadow over festive momentum
Liverpool faces the post-Christmas program with renewed confidence and family concern. The upward curve has been re-established, with back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time since September, capped by a 2-1 victory over nine-man Tottenham. However, as is always the case in Liverpool’s winter campaigns, progress has come at a price. Arne Slot’s side left north London with fresh injury concerns threatening to shape the coming weeks.
Wolves await at Anfield on December 27, a match that Liverpool will approach as heavy favorites against a team rooted at the bottom of the table. The broader context, however, is defined by the growing list in the treatment room. Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa may be within reach, but the margin for error is shrinking as availability becomes as important as form.
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What follows is the latest injury update for Liverpool, with return dates offering hope in some cases and uncertainty in others.
Alexander Isak’s blow changes Liverpool’s plans
The moment that changed the arc of Liverpool’s season came just 11 minutes after Alexander Isak entered the Tottenham field. Summoned to add avant-garde, it became the defining image of the night. Caught in by Micky van de Ven as he gave Liverpool a 1-0 lead, Isak was unable to celebrate his third goal of the season.
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After prolonged treatment, he was removed with the help of Liverpool’s medical staff. Slot’s initial assessment was blunt and he described it as “not good” that the forward could not continue. The severity soon became clear.
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Liverpool confirmed on Monday that Isak fractured his ankle and has undergone surgery. A statement from the club said: “Following the diagnosis, an operation was completed today for an ankle injury which included a fractured fibula.
“Isak’s rehabilitation will now continue at the AXA Training Center, with no timetable yet set for his return.”
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For a £125m firm, this is a major setback, both individually and structurally. Liverpool developed offensive flexibility around Isak’s presence. Now they must reimagine the balance, probably for months.
Possible return date: Unknown.
Defense and midfield test depth
Conor Bradley’s night at Spurs was shorter than expected. Returning to the team after missing Brighton’s victory, the right-back lasted only until half-time. A chase by Djed Spence appeared to lead to a hamstring problem, forcing Slot into an early reshuffle.
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Slot offered context instead of panic. “With Alex and Conor, we have to wait. Today you could see our bench, but this is not the first time. We are not the only team to suffer injuries in this period in England because we play a lot of games.
“It’s quite normal for teams to suffer injuries at the moment. We’re still scoring points and that’s the main thing.”
The tone suggests more hope than alarm, but Liverpool cannot afford another prolonged absence in large defensive areas.
Joe Gomez’s situation is more familiar and more frustrating. Starting against Brighton, he lasted just 26 minutes before losing the ball. The treatment followed and then the slow walk. Plaza confirmed on Friday: “Joe will not be on the team over the weekend either.”
Gomez’s season has been repeatedly disrupted, and this latest setback only reinforces the sense of fragility around Liverpool’s defensive rotation.
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Possible return dates: Bradley unknown, Gómez unknown.
Injuries in attack complicate Liverpool’s selection
Florian Wirtz offered a reminder of his quality at Spurs by claiming the assist for Isak’s goal. However, even as Liverpool ran out time, concern flashed. The German was seen rubbing his hamstring before making way for Trey Nyoni. There was no detailed update and the substitution seemed pre-emptive, a luxury Liverpool can hardly afford in the current climate.
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Jeremie Frimpong’s return, on the other hand, was a small victory. In his first appearance in two months, he came in at the right time and briefly lifted hearts when he fell late. Slot was quick to reassure him. “No, there is no problem,” he said. “I didn’t want to go down for 30 seconds.”
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Cody Gakpo’s absence has been quietly but consistently felt. The muscle injury suffered in the 3-3 draw against Leeds kept him out for three games, but Slot offered encouragement against Spurs.
“He (Gakpo) had a scan that looked promising, which means we are no longer as worried as we were a week or two ago.
“That means it might come back a little earlier than expected two weeks ago, but it definitely won’t be tomorrow or even next week.”
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Possible return dates: Wirtz December 27 vs. Wolves, Frimpong December 27 vs. Wolves, Gakpo late December or early January.
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Long-term absences underline Liverpool’s reality
Wataru Endo’s injury was revealed alongside Gakpo’s update, a reminder that team players are most important when numbers are scarce. Slot confirmed: “It will be weeks (for Gakpo and Endo). Cody has a muscle injury and Wata has an ankle injury.”
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Endo’s role this season has been limited, but his experience and reliability would have been valuable during this stretch.
Giovanni Leoni’s situation is the most moving. The young Italian suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in his debut for Liverpool against Southampton and faces a year of recovery. Slot spoke with empathy. “Of course, he’s not in a good place because he tore his ACL and that means he’ll be out for a year.
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“Being so young, coming to a new country and playing so well in your first game… it’s very difficult to take the positive side.
“There’s never a silver lining, but you always try to look at the silver lining and that’s that he’s still very young, so he still has a lot of years left after recovering from a terrible injury like that.”
Possible return dates: Endo January 2026, Leoni fall 2026.
Liverpool’s form suggests resilience. His injury list suggests reality. Between now and the new year, Slot’s task is not perfection, but to survive with momentum intact.